Episode 35 - The Trees Through the Forest

After defeating Dagrah, the party separates into several groups. Davwyn and Klork chase Dr. William Birkin into his undergound lab, Vaceren returns to the Wit's End, and Moxt spends time mourning over Judy's body. Klork and Davwyn are able interogate Dr. Birkin, deciding to force him into the Petrified Tree enclosure, but a portion of Scabbard seeps through the door allowing one of the horrible creatures to escape. The creature attempts to consume Klork but Davwyn uses Arnon's Hunger to pry a part of Klork's flesh off his shoulder, releasing the creature's grip. Davwyn then feels a powerful mind overcome his senses and he is forced to try and kill Klork. A short scuffle ensues, during which Davwyn is further influenced to open the enclosure door, releasing the remaining trees. Klork falls prey to the creatures' dominating presence and is commanded to open the remaining doors in the laboratory. Thanks to his uncanny speed as a turtle, Klork is able to outrun the range of the tree's influence. Klork strains to close the large metal door leading into Dagrah's enclosure but is unable to do so before the next round of Scabbard permeates through the entire lab, escaping through the now open glass door.
Davwyn and Klork are released from the grip of the tree's power as the creatures are no longer located inside the laboratory. The two adventurer's search high and low but find no evidence of the trees remains in the undergound lair. As they approach the area where Dagrah broke through into the Upper Delta, the two locate a single petrified tree standing frozen on the rim of the breach as a small child stands in front of it, staring. The two heroes scare off the child and quickly dispatch the monster, but they are unable to locate the remaining monsters in the surrounding area. Davyn and Klork return to the lab to set a trap. Davwyn tortures a small creature with the intent of causing such horrible, tortuous sounds that the trees would be lured back into the laboratory. Davwyn stands crying over the creature whispering, "Don't worry, your life will mean something. It will all be worth it." But no trees come. Realizing they released a horrible evil on the unsuspecting world above, Davwyn and Klork fall to the ground exhausted.
The two are awakened the next morning by several armed town's guard and a tall figure in expensive green robes. The guards interrogate the two for sometime until the green robed individual identifies the two heroes as members of Arnon's Bane. During the interrogation the man identifies himself as Michael, formally addressed as The Viscount. He blames them for the wanten destruction in the Upper Delta and explains that their slow reaction resulted in an unnaceptable loss of life and property damage. He excuses them from the premises as it is now an active investigation by the Council of Seven and is therefore no longer their responsibility. He removes them from the laboratory and sarcastically quips that he can't wait to see them at his upcoming ball.
They return to The Burrows where they locate a large number of destitute civilians. They open the doors of the Wit's End to those who have families with children. Davwyn offers a gold piece to a woman with a daughter who promptly goes out and buys enough bread for all the refugees. Davwyn and Klork return to the Upper Delta to find Aaron Frost but they find the The Roopty Scoop lies in ruins. They meet their regular waitress Agatha who advises that Sarah Arnold, the owner and bartender, was killed during the attack. Davwyn offers the little goblin lady a job at their bar and purchases the bar's 3BBl brewing system, a bag of flour, potatoes, and a crate of dusty wine. Davwyn thwarts two young looters who threaten to stab him with a butter knife. Finally, Davwyn utilizes his long forgotten Robe of Useful Items to makeshift a wagon to transport their purchased items.
After returning to their bar, the two unload their spoils and offer the woman with bread, Maeve Drake, a job as cook and hostess. Klork offers her husband Alduin Drake a job as doorman and gifts him a set of armor and his old cleric's mace. Mr. Frost stops by the Wit's End with Bethoron "Rack" and Häedrick "Stack" and follows up with the heroes concerning any evidence they may have uncovered. Klork provides him with Dr. Birkin's note and explains that the Viscount is now involved in the lab investigation. Their short conversation reveals that he is upset with their response time against Dagrah, the unnecessary loss of life and property, but that he is ultimately happy that they stepped in and defended the town against the dragon. He offers them a special assignment prior to going to the Viscount's ball, advising them to meet up with a ship captain named "Salty Rick." The captain is apparently unable to locate a crew for a dangerous mission. Captain Rick has been commissioned by an individual identified as Adonthir, who is apparently a large political player. Frost tasks the group with serving Adonthir on his quests in the hopes that he will join their ranks to defeat the Viscount and ultimately Arnon herself. Frost agrees to update the lower level of the Wit's End and the kitchen in their absence and Klork will recoop the cost of the investment upon payment from Frost. The party heads off to the The Salty Pirate to locate this "Salty Rick." What dangers await our heroes on the high seas? What will come of the Viscount's investigation of Dr. Birkin's lab? How will the Viscount react knowing Arnon's Bane is actively investigating his interests?